2016 ANNUAL REPORT - The Virginia Arts Festival

Robert W. Cross

Perry Artistic Director

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

A GAME-CHANGING YEAR “The Virginia Arts Festival’s 20th season set a host of new records — from numbers of performances to total attendance to charitable giving,” said outgoing Board Chairman Tommy Rueger. “It was indeed a game-changing year and foundational for future seasons.”

2016 ATTENDANCE BY THE NUMBERS 63,028 at ticketed events 20,845 at FREE performances + 39,644 at student perfromances 123,517 total Festival attendees

Tommy Rueger

Outgoing Board Chairman

VAF, BY THE NUMBERS

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

The 2016 Festival year featured 83 public performances throughout Hampton Roads. Education outreach matinées, masterclasses, and in-school events grew from 97 in FY 2015 to 108 in FY 2016, and reached a record 39,644 students. Overall revenue grew from $6,831,389 in FY 2015 to $8,596,827 in FY 2016. Festival ticket sales and earned income grew 32 percent, from $1,913,153 in FY 2015 to $2,517,254 in FY 2016. Charitable gifts were also up 25 percent over the previous year, including $1 million for the Festival’s 20th Season Game-Changing Fund.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Chairman’s Report.................................. 3

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FY 2016 OPERATING INCOME BY SOURCE*

2016 OPERATING EXPENSES*

CONTRIBUTED INCOME  $678,152 — Corporate  $2,015,375 — Grants  $1,342,246 — Individual

 $3,725,391 —  $1,710,507 —  $700,580 —  $580,576 —  $193,502 —  $839,309 —  $146,332 —  $465,461 —

Letters From Executive Director and Incoming Chairman................. 4 New Works and Productions.............. 5 World-Class Performing Arts......... 6-7 Education Outreach...........................8-9 What People Are Saying.................... 10 Economic Impact and Tourism..........11 Donor Listing..................................... 12-13 VAForever Campaign..................... 14-15

ON THE COVER AND ABOVE

STAY CONNECTED facebook.com/VaArtsFest

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Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim. Concluding a three year residency with Virginia Arts Festival, the company visited in March solely for education outreach and then again in May where they performed in Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall and reached even more students. In 2016, the dancers inspired 2,293 students through 23 in-school performances, workshops, and master classes. They positively impacted a total of 7,159 students through 56 education events during the course of their three year residency.

EARNED INCOME  $2,591,141 — T  icket Sales, VAF Management, Merchandise, Co-Production Income OTHER  $207,615 — Endowment Income  $1,085,000 — 20th Game-Changing Fund  $468,263 — In Kind Gifts

Artist Fees & Production Compensation Education Outreach Administration Expenses VAF Management Marketing/Box Office Development In Kind Expenses

Grand Total Expenses = $8,361,658 *pre-audit projection

Grand Total Revenue = $8,387,792 *pre-audit projection

As of June 30, 2016, VAF’s invested endowment portfolio was valued at more than $7,500,000. The endowment serves the Festival’s Performance Excellence Fund, Arts Education Fund, the Clay and Jay Barr Education Center Building Reserve Fund, and Undesignated for broader support of the Festival. The VAForever Campaign continues through June, 2017, which will lead to an increase of the endowment over the next five years.

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ENDOWMENT ALLOCATIONS youtube.com/user/VaArtsFestival

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25% — Arts Education Funds 35% — Performance Excellence Funds 32% — Undesignated 8% — Clay and Jay Barr Building Reserve Fund

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-2017 Chairman Robert M. Boyd, Virginia Beach Immediate Past Chairman Thomas V. Rueger, Virginia Beach Secretary Cyrus W. Grandy V, Norfolk

Executive Director Robert W. Cross, Norfolk

Members at Large Peggy J. Baggett, Richmond Clay H. Barr, Norfolk Alan G. Bartel, Virginia Beach Alonzo C. Brandon, Smithfield Lisa F. Chandler, Norfolk Mark T. Coberly, Chesapeake David M. Delpierre, Norfolk Leslie E. Doyle, Norfolk John Field, Courtland Martha Goode, New York City Howard Gordon, Virginia Beach Susan Hirschbiel, Virginia Beach James A. Hixon, Virginia Beach Connie Jacobson, Norfolk James M. LaVier III, Virginia Beach Suzanne Mastracco, Virginia Beach John P. Matson, Virginia Beach Naomi Muellner, Virginia Beach Pat Perry, Norfolk Pat Richardson, Virginia Beach Burrell Saunders, Virginia Beach Bert Schmidt, Norfolk André-Michel Schub, New York City Leah Waitzer, Norfolk Wayne F. Wilbanks, Norfolk

STAFF 2016-2017

Executive Director/ Perry Artistic Director Robert W. Cross



General Manager J. Scott Jackson

ADMINISTRATION Volunteer Coordinator Sandy Miller Artistic Administrator Kimberly Schuette Manager of Tessatura Database Systems Chaz Stuart Pops Programming Manager Rudi Schlegel Executive Assistant Ann Hirtz Executive Assistant Roxanne Sweeney Special Projects JoAnn Cross Office Coordinator Mary Hasan Front Desk Assistants Kathleen Apelt Charlina Spruill Courier Wesley Smith BOX OFFICE Director of Ticketing Kari Esther Pincus Box Office Supervisor Jeff Gallo Associates Whitney Edwards Chris George Kylie Joiner Scherry MacCartney Crystal Tuxhorn Becky White Sandra Wirth

LETTER FROM PERRY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR We set out to make our 20th season spectacular in some specific ways: we wanted to expand the calendar beyond the usual spring Festival time frame; to go beyond the walls of traditional performance venues and meet our patrons in parks and clubs, gardens and galleries; and we wanted to aim for the stars, bringing the world’s greatest performers to Festival audiences. We began in December 2015, with a joyous holiday performance by the Vienna Boys Choir, continued in January with superstar violinist Joshua Bell, and heated up February with Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater. We opened the spring Festival with a brilliant burst of dance, gathering seven great companies on a single stage, with music performed by the Virginia Symphony: American Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group, Richard Alston Dance Company, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Richmond Ballet, and Tokyo Ballet. And that was just the beginning! Our 20th celebration of dance continued with the Festival debut of Cuba’s electrifying Malpaso, and welcomed back longtime Festival favorite, Dance Theatre of Harlem, performing a world premiere commission. There was abundant music to savor, by some of the greatest classical artists in the world, including world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma in recital with the great pianist Emanuel Ax, and a dazzling display of virtuosity by the astonishing young pianist Yuja Wang. Jazz fans reveled in the sizzling sound of the Afro-Cuban All Stars, and song lovers could take their pick of performers, from America’s Got Talent stars The Texas Tenors to the smooth and soulful Boyz II Men. Our first-ever Fringe Festival brought new fans to Norfolk’s burgeoning NEON arts district for quirky performances that transcend category. On the Fringe weekend you could catch hot jazz, cutting-edge chamber music, stand-up comedy, inventive puppetry, and classic cabaret — all within a few-block radius. Joining the Festival’s 20th celebration and the worldwide commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, we co-presented a spectacular production of The Tempest with the Virginia Stage Company and Virginia Symphony Orchestra & Chorus performing the rarely heard score by Sibelius. The Virginia International Tattoo saluted its 20th with an eye-popping display featuring 1,371 performers from Australia, Canada, Germany, Jordan, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the U.S. All in all, the Festival welcomed patrons to 72 ticketed performances and 11 free events — making our 20th birthday very happy indeed, setting a firm foundation on which to build the Festival’s next twenty years.

Robert W. Cross Perry Artistic Director

Associate Director Kim McCoy Research Director Laurie Cherry Corporate Relations Tony Sparagno Campaign & Events Laura Apelt Assistant Norma Burandt



EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH Director Christine Foust Manager Nikki Nieves FINANCE Director Sandy Robinett Assistant & Human Resources Administrator Susan Sargent JOHN DUFFY INSTITUTE FOR NEW OPERA

Director Libby Larsen Assistant Director Karen Oberthal

MARKETING Director Jo Manley Design & Branding Sheryl Brunelle Coordinator Katie Fenimore Assistant Corrie Smith PRODUCTION Director Gregg Damanti Manager Nicha Petrakos Project Manager Karen Oberthal Company Manager Sheena Bellamy Assistant B.A. Ciccolella PUBLIC RELATIONS Director Cynthia Carter West Assistant Corrie Smith RHYTHM PROJECT & VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL PANFEST Director Dave Longfellow Associate Director & PANFest Coordinator Paul Munzenrider TOURISM & GROUP SALES Director Dianna Starkey Coordinator Barbara Brinson VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO Producer/Director J. Scott Jackson Assistant Producer Jennifer Hafner Operations Manager Roxanne Sweeney

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DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM’S WORLD PREMIERE ONE OF TWO GOLDEN NEW PRODUCTIONS TO SHINE IN A PLATINUM YEAR In honor of our 20th anniversary and long history with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, we commissioned a world premiere by the dance company — the first commission of this scope for creator Robert Garland, DTH’s Resident Choreographer. Titled Brahms Variations, the ballet enthralled dancers and audiences alike with live accompaniment by the vibrant Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Garland described this innovative work as “the court of Louis XIV meets Harlem swag,” and he infused it with his love of tradition, a passion for freshness and the desire to inspire.



DEVELOPMENT

NEW WORKS & PRODUCTIONS

Who would have dreamed then that this arts organization could so splendidly meet that goal, and so far surpass the expectations of the visionary area leaders who supported the Festival’s creation?

“Louis XIV was one of the founding fathers of ballet, and he reminded me, historically, of what (DTH founder) Arthur Mitchell has meant to me in this day and age,” Garland said. “Mitchell was the person who was responsible for my love of ballet. And it was his vision that allowed for this whole institution to be able to do things like collaborate with Virginia Arts Festival.”

It is my privilege to be stepping in as the Chairman of the Virginia Arts Festival Board of Directors, after having worked with the Festival as a member of the Board for a number of years. During that time, I was also active in the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, where I saw first-hand the tremendous impact that the Festival has on our area’s economy.

SHAKESPEARE’S

LETTER FROM INCOMING CHAIRMAN Two decades ago, Virginia Arts Festival was created to make the Hampton Roads area a cultural destination and to grow travel and tourism in the area during the “shoulder season” of the spring months.

In those twenty years, the Festival has presented thousands of artists in venues throughout Hampton Roads, welcoming visitors from throughout the United States and around the world. The economic impact of the Festival for area businesses and municipal coffers continues to grow each year. The enrichment is not just financial; by bringing world-class performers to the region, Virginia Arts Festival has added immeasurably to the lives of our area’s residents. Most importantly, more than 500,000 children have been reached by the Festival, through student performances, artists-in-schools programs, master classes, student performing groups and more. In this 20th season, Virginia Arts Festival welcomed audiences totaling 123,517, including 32,893 ticket buyers who traveled from outside the region. Audiences attending the Festival bought an estimated 13,299 room nights in area hotels, dined in area restaurants, and shopped at area retailers, with an estimated economic impact of more than $20 million. Visitors came to our 20th season events from 49 states and the District of Columbia, and from 14 countries. The Festival has untold impact upon the future as well through the participation of the 39,644 children reached by the 20th season’s education programs: children who may have become more engaged and therefore more likely to remain in school; and teachers who were encouraged to incorporate the arts into the curriculum in new ways, enhancing their lesson plans for years to come. In twenty years, those children will be the workers, business owners, and leaders of our communities, and though the impact of the Festival’s inspiration cannot be measured in dollars and cents, it is unmistakable. Robert M. Boyd Board Chairman

Today, Dance Theatre of Harlem is known worldwide and has touched countless lives through excellence in performance and instruction. In Brahms Variations, Garland merged contemporary with classical. “Mr. Mitchell always emphasized classicism,” he said, and for this ballet “I kind of sneak in bits of African-American culture to create something that is new to some really old music,” he explained. Garland said he’d learned from Mitchell that “even though people view classicism as something old, it’s actually something that’s always fresh and always new and always engaging. And when something’s new, fresh and engaging, it instantly becomes classic.” With Brahms Variations “I had an opportunity to see that proved to me again,” he said.

as top priorities. Over the years, Garland and the school’s Professional Training Program dancers have reached thousands of Hampton Roads public school students with performances and demonstrations, lectures, master classes, workshops and more. The partnership also offers his dancers valuable performance experience and the chance to enhance their craft, Garland noted. “It’s critical to have an in-depth relationship with these artists,” Robert Cross, Perry Artistic Director, said. “You get to see the artist’s work evolve, and the artists are able to get to come back and work with students several years in a row, to see the improvements in the students and the impact they’re having. By commissioning this new work, we honor that longstanding partnership and look to the future of this brilliant company.”

Our relationship with DTH dates back to the Festival’s infancy, and both organizations rank arts education and community engagement

THE TEMPEST

CREATES A STIR The Festival frequently collaborates with other area arts organizations, and joined in the world celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death by co-producing The Tempest with the Virginia Stage Company and Virginia Symphony Orchestra, complete with the rarely heard, rich and resonant score composed in the early 20th century by Jean Sibelius, conducted by VSO Music Director JoAnn Falletta. Following more than a year of planning and rehearsals, the April performances wowed the crowds. “It was fantastic, and it was a very contemporary approach to The Tempest in terms of the staging elements,” Robert Cross, Perry Artistic Director, said. Falletta concurred. “The marriage of theatre and music made this a unique event,” she said. “While The Tempest is often performed, it is truly rare to experience it with the beautiful score of Jean Sibelius. The blending of the extraordinary genius of Shakespeare and Sibelius helped us see the production in a new and multi-faceted light.”

She also praised Patrick Mullins, VSC Stage Director, for his extreme creativity in his use of film, moving fabrics, lighting and puppets, “all of which helped to give The Tempest a luminous fairy tale quality and highlighted the mysticism in the play,” Falletta said. In addition, “Patrick loves music and was deeply sensitive to using it as a real character — a presence, a force — in the production, and the musicians and I were completely involved in the action around us.” Falletta said she was dazzled by the quality of magic, nature and mystical beauty that the collaboration achieved. “Sibelius himself believed in the presence of magic in the world,” she said, “and I think that together, with music and drama, we were able to highlight that special quality of The Tempest.”

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dotMaze: Get Lost! dotComedy’s 20-square-foot hedge maze, filled with installations, soundscapes, and a somewhat unpredictable minotaur visited Virginia Beach this spring. The maze was just one of eleven Beyond the Concert Hall events that were free and open to the public.

WORLD-CLASS PERFORMING ARTS

THE 20TH VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO BY THE NUMBERS

Funhouse Fest! For three spectacular summer days and nights, Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby and Virginia Arts Festival presented the first-ever Funhouse Fest, a star-studded gathering of award winning, iconic artists on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. This event, VAF’s first multi-day music festival, drew more than 7,000 attendees!

LOOKING BACK, FACING FORWARD

THE 20TH VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO

A RECAP OF A FANTASTIC 20TH SEASON

HONORING 20 YEARS OF SERVICE & SACRIFICE

The 20th Anniversary season presented an unprecedented variety of special performances, productions and initiatives in service of overarching goals that continue to move the VAF forward: to increase attendance, engage new audiences, raise more money and strive for a “best-ever” year. The season featured a world-class array of longstanding Festival favorites, select new artists and exciting new projects for audiences, performers, students and communities.

The celebration marched on with military flair, as our own Virginia International Tattoo also celebrated its 20th year. The largest such performance in the United States, and the third largest in the world, the Virginia International Tattoo consistently features high-caliber military-style music, entertainment and exercises by some of the world’s most exceptional military bands and civilian performers.

Beginning with our pre-season Celebrate Series, returning favorites included the legendary Vienna Boys Choir in December, violinist extraordinaire Joshua Bell in January and the illustrious Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater in February. The 2016 Festival featured the return of beloved cellist Yo-Yo Ma, joined by virtuoso pianist Emanuel Ax, our own Virginia International Tattoo, and the dazzling Dance Theatre of Harlem. The spring season kicked off with a special Spring for Dance Gala featuring seven renowned dance companies, performing to the music of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. American Ballet Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Richard Alston Dance Company, The Tokyo Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group, Lula Washington Dance Theatre and Richmond Ballet. Robert Cross, VAF Perry Artistic Director, called the gala “an incredible feast for the eyes.” Our roster of artists new to the Festival included the aforementioned Tokyo Ballet, pianist Yuja Wang, American vocalist Storm Large, the brilliant Kishi Bashi and Grammy® Award winner Bruce Hornsby. Hornsby played a critical role in the Festival’s success, curating Funhouse Fest in his home town of Williamsburg. When approached to join the Festival, Hornsby organized an exclusive lineup of musical friends for a three-day jam that resulted in the highest attendance ever for the Festival in Williamsburg. Other new projects included a special stage production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest; a world premiere by Dance Theatre of Harlem, commissioned by the VAF in honor of our 20th anniversary; Boyz II Men performing with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra; and a longanticipated Fringe Festival. “We’d been talking about producing a Fringe Festival for many years,” Cross said. “We took over the arts district for that weekend and had an incredible variety of artists from the different genres in three fantastic indoor spaces” and one outdoor as well. Fringe Festival’s eclectic programming scored on all levels: attendance, community feedback, and the ability to please our regular Festival audience as well as newcomers including downtown’s young professionals. Despite his hectic schedule, Cross attends every Festival performance. “We have so much invested in this, emotionally, artistically, that I really want to see the artists … and how the audience reacts,” he said. “It’s a huge adrenaline rush when you see the audience response to these extraordinary artists.”

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The Virginia Arts Festival’s 20th season achieved an all-time high of 123,517 attendees and raised more money than ever raised before — a measure of success and a sign of good things to come, as this helps propel the future of the arts, the organization and its impact on audiences, education, tourism and quality of life in Hampton Roads.

2016 showcased our largest cast ever: 1,371 men, women and youth from eight countries, assembled for a powerful four-day tribute to allied nations and their brave protectors. Enhanced by a special anniversary multimedia production narrated by retired U.S. Army General Colin Powell, the 20th Tattoo also gave moving homage to those serving the past 20 years for America — a particularly turbulent time in recent history for military families, as many members of U.S. armed forces have served multiple tours. Tattoo highlights included performances by two of the world’s top-12 pipe bands — Inveraray & District and Police Scotland Fife — and the inaugural VIT American Pipe Band Championship, featuring eight of the world’s best. In addition, a 700-member AllAmerican Chorus featuring 15 student choirs from Hampton Roads joined voices with the Virginia Symphony Chorus and more than 1,000 cast members from around the world for the largest massed-chorus event of its kind in the U.S. An all-time high of more than 39,000 people from 43 states and eight countries attended

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ore than 39,000 Virginia International M Tattoo attendees, from 43 states and eight countries.

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18,371 students attended the Tattoo. 

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1 ,371 comprised the 20th Virginia International Tattoo cast.

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0 group performances in local schools, 2 reaching 6,256 students.

the 2016 Tattoo. This coincided with the American Bus Association having selected the Virginia International Tattoo as their Top U.S. event for 2016. Peter Pantuso, ABA president and CEO, said the designation was well deserved. “Until you see it, you just don’t get it,” he said of the emotionally charged Tattoo. “It absolutely blew me away.” The recognition thrilled us and our supporters. “Being named the No. 1 event in the United States by American Bus Association — that only comes around once in a career,” J. Scott Jackson, Tattoo Producer/Director, said. It also helped drive attendance and tourism dollars to the region — a great accomplishment with a great outcome, Jackson affirmed. The 2016 Tattoo also impacted students like never before. We attained all-time highs in both student attendance (18,371) and, partly due to the cast size, the number of students who had Tattoo performers visit their schools for education and outreach (6,256). In addition, Tattoo performances included numerous local students, “so it was a fantastic celebration of youth and the arts within the Tattoo,” Jackson said. Positive audience feedback affirmed the effort. 2016’s success “really was like hitting a home run,” Jackson concluded. “It was a great year due to hard work by a great team.”

Top Secret Drum Corps Top Secret, above, gave a high-energy, show-stopping performance in its first visit to the Tattoo!

First Ever Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship An additional new component to this year’s Tattoo was the 1st Annual Virginia International Pipe Band Championship. The competition featured some of the graetest Grade 1 and Grade 2 pipe bands from around the world.

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EDUCATION OUTREACH, BY THE NUMBERS 

9,644 Hampton Roads students reached 3 through arts education and outreach.

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108 arts education events for students.

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1 5 Cities/Counties participated in outreach.

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151 Schools participated. 

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1 VAF Groups/Artists participated in 2 outreach.

EDUCATION OUTREACH

RHYTHM PROJECT’S ALL-STARS

SHARING THE LOVE OF ARTS AND EDUCATION

TUNED UP FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

By 2010, Virginia Arts Festival had been reaching nearly 30,000 students annually with the majority of programs offered during our original April – May performance season. But preparation for state Standards of Learning tests during those weeks meant conflicts for schools. Often, extracurricular activities took a back seat during these months.

Rachel Hayes, 18, recalled the year that the reverberant ring of steel pans lured her away from the ordinary world. They’d already captured her elder brother, Benjamin Hayes, a member of Virginia Arts Festival’s Rhythm Project ensemble. Now, she could hardly deny the pull. “After watching numerous performances of the beautiful and unique instrument, I decided to audition for Rising Stars,” she said.

“It’s about finding out how we connect to an existing program, then promoting the natural integration of arts as a learning tool, an enhancement to education,” Christine Foust, Director of Education and Community Engagement, explained. During our fiscal year 2016, VAF reached 39,644 students — a 32 percent increase over 2010 and 15 percent over 2015 — with an all-time high of 108 educational events that taught, inspired and enriched Hampton Roads’ youth through performing arts. 22,296 students participated via full or partial financial assistance based on ability to pay. “Few schools could afford this high-quality programming at the rate it costs to provide it,” Foust explained. She has witnessed its positive influence over years of experience and countless post-performance high-fives. “This impact wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of those who help sustain the Festival’s education mission with individual, corporate and foundation gifts, sponsorships, grants and endowments. To donors,” Foust affirms, “You just don’t know what kind of ripple effect this can have on someone.”

THE CLAY AND JAY BARR EDUCATION CENTER A YEAR-ROUND HOME FOR THE ARTS

Storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston shows students a kora after her performance at the Slover Librbary.

More than just a physical presence and symbol of Virginia Arts Festival, the Clay and Jay Barr Education Center is a home for students, artists, and patrons. This unique center includes spaces for rehearsals, masterclasses and performances, green rooms for visiting artists, and office space for Virginia Arts Festival staff.

skills,” said Perry Artistic Director, Robert Cross. Festival staff enjoy working in the same space where music is happening and students are learning, he noted, and he encourages supporters who’ve helped make it possible to “come see it in action; come experience it. It’s so moving to watch what it means to the kids.”

The space was designed with optimal performance and rehearsal experience in mind. In addition to the numerous performers and staff who frequent the building, more than 110 students, including Rhythm Project and the Governor’s School for the Arts musicians use the Clay and Jay Barr Education Center on a regular basis, year-round.

In 2016, Clay Barr established an endowment fund to help secure the center’s future for those who love it most.

“It’s a really special thing to see this wonderful, vibrant building and all the kids coming here to further their artistic 8

Hope Boykin teaches a masterclass in the Virginia Arts Festival’s Clay and Jay Barr Education Center/Robin Hixon Theater.

YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION OUTREACH The Festival strategized to better assist students and educators to optimize the opportunities that these cherished community partnerships could offer. We expanded programming with visiting artist workshops, music and dance master classes, additional performances, theater classes, and other unique experiences spread throughout the school year. Our team also created education guides for teachers to increase relevance and reinforcement between arts programs and SOL-related classroom lessons.

Melissa White of the Harlem Quartet works with young violinists at Soundscapes, an after-school enrichment program at Carver Elementary School.

Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater

“Within these walls, artists are celebrated, children are inspired, neighbors gather, and our region is attracting new visitors, becoming an ever more vibrant place to live,” Barr said then. The new Clay and Jay Barr Education Center Endowment Fund will help ensure upkeep and sustainability of the center over time.

Rhythm Project has helped shape student education and outreach since the Festival’s inception. What began as one student percussion group in Portsmouth has grown to nine Caribbean steel pan and African drum ensembles offering year-round instruction, mentoring and performance opportunities with in-school, after-school and summer programs throughout Hampton Roads. Approximately 200 students in grades 4-12 partake annually. Participants develop focus, musicianship, showmanship, friendships, self-confidence and a host of valuable life skills. Some students progress from Rhythm Project’s Rising Stars feeder programs to the elite 20-member All-Stars high school ensemble. Rachel Hayes was one. Over the years, the group has performed for some 500,000 people including such formative experiences as opening for Gladys Knight and participating in the Royal Nova Scotia

and Virginia International Tattoos. In competition, the All-Stars have twice earned the title Virginia International PANFest Grand Champions. Hayes couldn’t have predicted the impact of joining. “Being mostly self-taught in piano, I could not read music, only memorize notes and patterns,” she recalled. “This proved to be both a clear advantage and disadvantage,” she noted. Director David Longfellow helped her understand the notes and rhythms differently than how he taught others. The effort was worth it, she said. Among other things, she learned that “through hard work and many hours of struggling and frustration I could achieve the same heights as others.” Students must maintain good grades to participate in Rhythm Project. More than 1,000 youths have come through the program in 20 years, and nearly all have graduated high school on time and continued their education in college or enter the Armed Forces. Hayes, one of four seniors in her All-Stars group, recently graduated Churchland High School in Portsmouth with honors, and has since enrolled in the pre-nursing program at Radford University. Her fellow All-Stars grads head to Hampton and Old Dominion Universities and the Air Force in the fall.

BATTEN GRANT SUPPORTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MUSIC For 20 years, Virginia Arts Festival has provided arts opportunities for low-income students. Within a mile of our headquarters, the Clay and Jay Barr Education Center, live numerous neighbors in need: the children of Young Terrace, many of whose families rank among the nation’s poorest one percent. In line with our ongoing education and community engagement initiatives, the Festival has committed long-term to join the City of Norfolk, United Way of South Hampton Roads and others in support of the youth within Young Terrace and surrounding neighborhoods. Thanks largely to a generous multi-year grant from the Batten Educational Achievement Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, in FY 2016 we launched a three-year initiative comprised of two major goals: to enhance education opportunities and outcomes for Norfolk’s Young Terrace students through in-depth community and arts engagement, and to further education impact through the arts for all Norfolk Public Schools students. The Festival is now providing every Young Terrace fifth grader with steel pan instruction, free of charge, with instruments and uniforms included. The Young Terrace initiative also supports Rhythm Project’s community summer enrichment camps and will expand RP’s free music instruction in the following schools serving students in Young Terrace and surrounding neighborhoods: P.B. Young, Tidewater Park and Jacox elementary schools, Ruffner Middle School and Booker T. Washington High School. Steel drums provide a unique vehicle for success for young people, director David Longfellow said. “In a few short rehearsals, we can get these students to perform as a group.” The programs build the kind of confidence and skills that can help a child succeed in school, while summer music camps keep kids engaged and learning, which can prevent academic regression while school’s out. In addition to expanding Rhythm Project for the Young Terrace area, the Festival has begun a three-year residency plan for students in band, orchestra, chorus and dance programs at Ruffner Middle and Booker T. Washington High schools. Another special initiative, this summer, the Community Rhythm Project, brought together residents of all ages for a new multigenerational summer steel band ensemble that promised to excite, unite and delight for the first time.

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FAVORITE TATTOO QUOTES “Thank you for the opportunity to attend International Tattoo. It was definitely going on my ‘Do Not Miss’ list. My mother also sends her gratitude. She is a German citizen and hearing the bard from Kassel made her feel like a kid again. But most importantly, my 6 years old son, Sam, said ‘Mommy now I know I can be the two things I want to be when I grow up. A marine and a musician.’ We had a wonderful time and will definitely be back next year!”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ECONOMIC IMPACT & TOURISM

— Stacy Martin of Virginia Tourism Corporation

CULTURAL TOURISM AN ART IN ITSELF Circa 1996, a primary goal of the newly created Virginia Arts Festival was to broaden the region’s appeal as a springtime destination to help boost tourism as a driver of economic impact. Perry Artistic Director Robert Cross recognized the area, already home to fine arts organizations, as a hub primed for additional activity that he believed could draw new visitors.

FACEBOOK COMMENTS “We love it & plan on returning every year.” — Norfolk, VA

“It was well worth the trip from Florida.”

“He transported us last night with his passion and virtuosity! The music flowed through him like liquid gold. His performance was incredibly special. Spiritual. Sublime. I absolutely LOVED it! Thank you for bringing such fine talent to our area!!” — (Regarding Avi Avital) “She was fabulous!!! LOVED her show.” — (Regarding Storm Large)

Dear Sir, That was the best concert I have seen in many, many years: “The Sons of Serendip”. This was a flawless rendition of every song presented by this classical and talented group of performers. I salute you and your staff for this “Great Find” for our entertainment! I trust that you will hopefully have them return for another engagement. My Hat’s off to you, Charles Reid

STUDENT IMPRESSIONS “My favorite part was Ariel... The trip related to learning because of our constant study of Shakespeare and the relationships between music and performance.” — 12th grader after attending The Tempest “The students and faculty at Salem Elementary would like to thank Virginia Arts Festival for providing a wonderful assembly with Charlotte Blake Alston... Many of our students do not have the opportunity to hear a live storyteller and it was a challenge for them to visualize as Charlotte expertly delivered each story. What a necessary skill for developing readers! ...We hope that it encourages our students to discover the joy of reading and storytelling.” — Elementary School Music Teacher

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“The students were amazed by the performance so much so that they were silent for the entire hour. Members of the quartet were kind and patient. They answered all of the students’ questions and obliged their special song requests. ...All of our students take violin, so they enjoyed being able to see professionals. The quartet went over and beyond expectations. We felt like they truly enjoyed our students — something every school administrator and teacher hopes to feel.” — 2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher at Park Place School regarding Harlem String Quartet

OUR HOTEL PARTNERS PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE FESTIVAL! It takes a large number of hotel rooms to house our artists and we rely on our hotel partners to accommodate the many artists the Festival presents each year.

Our original hotel partner (dating back to 1997):

“A fantastic service to the Hampton Roads community and all of Virginia!”

E-MAIL

— Swaford, DE

In our 20th anniversary season, VAF has reached an all-time high attendance of 123,517 with an extraordinary series of artists for whom fans were willing to travel,

General Manager J. Scott Jackson attributes these results largely to “great performances, particularly those that people can’t see elsewhere,” and a solid regional and national marketing plan. “This year we had those elements more than ever before,” he noted. Gains from the GameChanger fund, a component of the Festival’s ongoing VAForever campaign, supported new initiatives on both fronts, and in terms of rarity, events such as Spring for Dance Gala, the Virginia International Tattoo and Funhouse Fest were all unique to the Festival. “Those are the kinds of things that will drive out-of-town visitation,” Jackson said.

“The Virginia Arts Festival is celebrating 20 years of success this year! They keep getting better and better!”

— Leesburg, FL

“I just felt so proud to be an American”

By its 16th season, the Festival ushered a booming season attendance of 58,000 patrons, with nearly 27 percent being out-oftown, overnight visitors. A study titled The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the 2012 Virginia Arts Festival cited a “tremendous impact” of $17.3 million, including $6.9 million in labor income supporting 231 jobs.

beginning with Vienna Boys Choir at Christmastime and concluding with Bruce Hornsby’s Williamsburg-based Funhouse Fest in June. Estimated economic impact in this 20th season was more than $20 million.

DRIVING ECONOMIC IMPACT — HOME Attracting out-of-town visitors requires an ongoing effort to promote the Festival’s status as a premier cultural destination. Partnerships with local, regional, state and national businesses and travel and tourism organizations help make this possible. To this end, Dianna Starkey, our Director of Tourism and Group Sales, and her team create cross-promotional marketing plans that involve hotels, restaurants, convention and visitor bureaus and other businesses throughout the region. They reach outside the area to travel agents, bus and tour operators, hotels and cities to collaborate on packages that entice travel groups to Hampton Roads. These groups can vary widely in terms of ages and interests, so tailoring event itineraries to specific tourist audiences matters. The Festival is marketed in other states, through exhibits at industry conventions and presentations to such organizations as the American Bus Association and Virginia Tourism Corporation. The Festival maintains visibility on VTC’s online visitors center, www.virginia.org, and at events by the National Tour Association, AAA, the Midwest Clinic band and orchestra conference and others who serve niche travel segments, from dancers and musicians to bankers, students, grandparents and more.

In 2016, 215 groups purchased 7,116 tickets. Of those groups, 113 came from outside Hampton Roads — 23 from within Virginia, 88 from out of state and other countries. The Virginia International Tattoo plays a major role in promoting the Festival, noted Carol Torricelli of the VTC. It’s easy to market the Tattoo as a worldwide event to tour and travel pros seeking unforgettable experiences, she said. “It’s very prestigious, very visible, it adds much credibility,” and they’re inspired to develop itineraries that start in their own regions and extend to the Tattoo, she explained. For many years, the Tattoo has been selected as an American Bus Association Top 100 Event in North America for its outstanding entertainment value to travelers. Recently we received the ultimate in ABA recognition as their members selected Virginia International Tattoo and Arts Festival as the Top U.S. Event of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2016. “In 2016 we had the greatest impact that we’ve ever had on the region,” Robert Cross, Perry Artistic Drector, said, “and we will strive to continue that upward trend.”

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center

Long standing partners:

Best Western Plus Virginia Beach Oceanfront Marriott Norfolk Waterside Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel

Additional hotel partners include: Colonial Williamsburg Hotels

Comfort Inn & Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront Crowne Plaza Hotel Virginia Beach Town Center The Oceanfront Inn Virginia Beach

Newest Hotel partners:

Residence Inn Norfolk Downtown PHR/Gold Key Hotels The Cavalier Hotel (opening April 2017) Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Ramada Virginia Beach Oceanfront The Main (opening March 2017) Through these sponsorships, the Festival is able to make a huge impact on cultural tourism.

Thank you!!

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WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF OUR 2016 ANNUAL FUND DONORS, CORPORATE, FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS. PLATINUM SPONSORS BB&T Business Consortium for Arts Support Colonial Williamsburg

The Dalis Foundation Norfolk Southern Corporation PRA Group

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Bank of America Best Western Plus Virginia Beach Oceanfront Capital Group Companies Checkered Flag BMW Cox Communications Delta Airlines Dominion Resources Inc. Gold Key PHR McPhilliips, Roberts & Deans Marriott Norfolk Waterside Newport News Shipbuilding Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel SunTrust U.S. Trust Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center Wells Fargo Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas

Adams Outdoor Advertising Atlantic Shores Retirement Living Bay Diesel & Generator ClarkNexsen Creekside Communications Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach Town Center Daily Press Media Group Ferguson Enterprises Harbor Group International Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate Kaufman & Canoles MacArthur Center M. Price Distributing Co. Oceanfront Inn Virginia Beach Residence Inn Norfolk Downtown Studio Center Vandeventer Black LLP Western Branch Diesel Williams Mullen

TowneBank The Virginian-Pilot WHRO Public Media

BRONZE SPONSORS

Harbor’s Edge Retirement Community Kotarides Developers New Bell Storage - An Agent for Atlas The Norfolk Stationery Company, Inc. Onyx Audio Visual Saunders + Crouse Sinclair Communications Top Guard Security Tucanos Brazilian Grill VEER Magazine WAVY-TV Willcox Savage WVEC-TV Zim American Integrated Shipping Services

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS AAAA Self Storage App a Cab Armada Hoffler Properties Clancy & Theys Construction Company Comfort Inn & Suites Virginia Beach Oceanfront David Polston Photography Distinctive Event Rentals Enterprise Holdings Foundation Flowers Wayne Jones KPMG McGuire Woods LLP Newport News Sheriff’s Office Phillips DMC Stihl The Bonnewell Group at Morgan Stanley UBS Warwick Plumbing & Heating Corporation USAA

LEAD FOUNDATION PARTNER

Hampton Roads Community Foundation Batten Educational Achievement Fund Friedrich Ludwig Diehn Fund Glenn Allen Scott and Anne C. Brower Cultural Endowment Leah S. Wohl Musical Arts Fund

92.1 The Beat 92.3 FM The Tide 92.9 FM The Wave 93.7 Bob FM 96X 97.3 FM Eagle 102.1 FM The Tide 106.9 FM The Fox 107.9 Bach FM AltDaily

Adams Outdoor Advertising Boomer Magazine Coastal Virginia Magazine Cox Media The Flagship FM 99 WNOR FOX43-TV Jewish News

ADDITIONAL FOUNDATION SUPPORT ArtPlace America The Aaron Copland Fund for Music The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Capezio/Ballet Makers Dance Foundation D. Baker Ames Charitable Foundation The Helen G. Gifford Foundation Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation The Pruden Foundation Rotary Club of Norfolk Ruth Brown Memorial Foundation Sandler Center Foundation

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The Festival is partially sponsored by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

RESTAURANT PARTNERS 219 An American Bistro 456 Fish Baxter’s Sports Lounge Big Easy Grill & Oyster Bar Bite Restaurant & Catering Bodega on Granby Byrd & Baldwin Brothers Steakhouse California Pizza Kitchen Cure Coffee House & Brasserie Mannino’s Italian Bistro Mission BBQ Norfolk Seafood Company & Oyster Bar Omar’s Carriage House Saffron Indian Bistro Todd Jurich’s Bistro Voila!

Generous support has been received from the following cities and counties and/or their Arts and Humanities Commissions: Chesapeake, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

MEDIA SUPPORT Military Newspapers of Virginia Movin’ 107.7 Nauticus New Journal & Guide Richmond Magazine Selecta 1050 AM Southside Daily Sports Radio WTAR The Daily Press

The Virginia Gazette The Virginian-Pilot/ PilotOnline.com US 106.1 VEER Magazine Virginia Craft Beer Virginia Living Magazine WAVY-TV WHOV 88.1 FM

WHRO 90.3 FM WHRV 89.5 FM WNSB 91.1 FM WNIS AM 790 WTKR/WGNT WVEC-TV WYDaily

ANNUAL FUND DONORS VANGUARD Anonymous (2) David & Susan Goode Jim Hixon Connie & Marc Jacobson The Perry Family Ashlin & Wayne Wilbanks

APPLAUSE $10,000-$24,999 Deborah H. Butler Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Cross Leslie Friedman - The Fannie, Milton, and Leslie Friedman Family Foundation Moss & Ina Friedman The Helen G. Gifford Foundation Mr. Richard S. Glasser & Ms. Martha Mednick-Glasser Cyrus W. & Edith G. Grandy Susan & Paul Hirschbiel Charlotte & Gil Minor Wick & Bonnie Moorman Mr. Dal Paull Jim & Karen Sparks

DIRECTORS CIRCLE $5,000-$9,999 Anonymous (1) Clay Barr Cabell & Mary Jane Birdsong Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Boyd

Alonzo & Michelle Brandon David, Connie, & Rebecca Bridges Deborah H. Butler Martha M. Goode & Christina L. Goode Mr. & Mrs. J. Scott Jackson Oriana McKinnon Naomi M. Muellner Ross & Sylvia Payne Ike & Dawn Prillaman Juliette Reidy Rouse-Bottom Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. Rueger Art & Annie Sandler James Squires & Karen Jones Squires Leah & Richard Waitzer

LEADERS CIRCLE $2,500-$4,999 Anonymous (1) Charles & Mari Ann Banks Susan R. Blackman Esq. Leslie Doyle John & Karen Griffing Mr. & Mrs. James M. LaVier, III Mamaw & Grandad Ruth & Scott McElroy The Pruden Foundation André-Michel Schub Mr. & Mrs. John S. Shannon Drs. Bonnie & Bill Waldrop 12

PATRONS CIRCLE $1,000-$2,499 Anonymous (3) Mr. & Mrs. Bertram D. Aaron Helen & Warren L. Aleck Dean & Barbara Ashman Wendy & Frank Auerbach Peggy Baggett Robert-Allen Baker F.J. & Mary S. Barnes Dolores & Alan Bartel Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Parker Branch Robert & Roslyn Brown Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Burchette Steve & Ann Burke Marilyn & Stuart Buxbaum Lisa & Web Chandler Jonathan W. Miller & Barbara Miller Chapman Mark & Julia Coberly Charles & Minette Cooper Robert & Janie Creecy Mary Ellen Crocker Bess Decker Mr. & Mrs. David Delpierre JoAnn Falletta & Robert Alemany Andrew & Kim Fine Kelly Anne Foley MD Jacob Fowler Howard & Sandra Gordon Barbara Gornto Governor’s School for the Arts Orchestra C. Holloway Dr. & Mrs. T. W. Hubbard Bill & Karen Igel Mr. & Mrs. James Jiral Gayle Johnson Dr. & Mrs. Edward Karotkin Donna & Kevin Kearney Russ & Pam Kirk Miss Gill & Stephen Leaman Mr. & Mrs. Harry T. Lester Dr. & Mrs. Edward L. Lilly Kent Lion Robert & Cristina Martínez Suzanne & Vince Mastracco Mr. John P. Matson Kim McCoy Evelyn Munden Linda Laibstain & Bob Nusbaum Dianne Epplein & John Patton Roger & Andrea Phelps Patricia Richardson Mrs. William T. Roos Bert & Missy Schmidt Jane & Win Short James & Marta Stewart Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Stoner Mrs. Joyce Strelitz Mr. & Mrs. Eric Thompson Joseph T. Waldo & Ashby Vail Jane & Sam Webster Valerie Wells Jule West & Cynthia Carter West Deborah & John Wyld

FESTIVAL CONTRIBUTOR $500-$999 Anonymous (1) Donna Bausch Bruce & Sarah Bishop Howard & Barbara Brantly Tom & Diana Brockman Barbara & Keith Byers

Norman & Susan Colpitts Melissa DiBona William & Kathryn Drury Alan & Esther Fleder Foundation Marilyn & Ray Gindroz Dr. Isabelle Hallam Capt. & Mrs. Wick Harlan Kelly Marie Harlan Marcia Hofheimer Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hyer Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Jackson Evelyn G. & Richard J. Keever Oral & Karen Lambert Vivian & Burke Margulies Julius & Jeanne Miller Stan Morrison John & Debora Mosher Karen & Tom Philion Conoly & Betsy Phillips LH & Jane Puckett John W. Saunders David Scherer & Elise Emanuel Mr. Rudi Schlegel Miriam Seeherman Faye G. Whitlock

FESTIVAL PARTNER $250-$499 Anonymous (5) Josephine Adamson Kevin Bell Charles & Elisabeth Burgess Stuart & Bet Cake Mr. & Mrs. Daniel P. Chamberlin Dr. & Mrs. John P. Clarke Thomas & Faye Coleman Allison Crepeau The Crebbs Group, LLC Jo Ann Cross Allan & Susan Donn Capts. Jim & Kathy Donovan, USN (Ret) Kelly Ann Foley MD Henry A. Garrity Rear Admiral Phillip O. Geib & EAnn Stokes Suzanne Guy Jane Goldman & Ron Dyer Jim & Helene Haluska Sally & Ron Hartman Jennifer Hill Mr. & Mrs. James & Nancy Jones Dr. Raymond T. Jones Warren & Mimi Karesh Sarah F. Kellam Denise Koch Kurt Krause Dr. S. L. & Dr. J. G. Lamkin Anne Lankford Keith & Judy Larson Betty & Buddy Levin Janna & Irwin Levinstein Ina Levy & Richard Staub Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lloyd Charles S. Merriam II Steward P. Mitchell Mr. & Mrs. Michael Newbill Mr. & Mrs. William L. Nusbaum Dr. Edward C. Oldfield, III Patrick Bateman & Barbara Paige-Bateman Helen V. Preti Christina Richardson Dr. & Mrs. Reuben D. Rohn Len & Cathy Rothman Frank & Dudley Sargent Beth Scharlop & Roger Schultz Nancy & George Schwenk David Seletyn & Jodi Grande Leslie & Michael Shroyer Louise & Richard Sobocinski Anthony & Rebecca Sparagno Jane & Ed Stein The Steinbach Family

Dr. Roger & Paula Stenlund Dean & Peggy Troyer Mrs. Frances Wells Dr. & Mrs. Allan L. White David Wick Capt. & Mrs. Terrence L. Zackowski

FESTIVAL FRIEND $100-$249 Anonymous (25) James I. Adams Leonette & Beryl Adler Saira Ahsan Joyce & John Alewynse Mr. & Mrs. Neill H. Alford, III Ann B. Allen Ken & Anne Allen Reginald Allen The Andersons Ms. Cynthia Anstrom Patricia Arant Gary & Beth Arnold Thomas Auler Zaneta Bailey Linda & Leigh Baltuch Babbi & Brad Bangel Peter & Mary Barhydt Peter & Edith Barnett Elena Barr Baum LTC Nestor Barreto Deborah Bartok-Newton & James P. Newton Nasr Basir Mr. & Mrs. William H. Bass, Jr. Danesha Bazemore Tenesha Bazemore BBG, Inc. Chelsea & Carl Beffa Anton Bell Clinton Beverly Dr. Robert & Mrs. Catherine Blackwood Dr. & Mrs. Michael E. Bohan Nina Bombelles Raymond K. Bousman, III Jim & Judith Bowers Dale Boyer Angela E. Branch Petty Officer First Class Certo Brand Mary Dame Broad Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Buchwald Tim & Norma Burandt Daniel & Ginny Burke Richard & Lana Butler Mr. & Mrs. E. W. Caddell, Jr. John Cameron Ruth Ann Campbell Claire Carbone Judith L. Carey Duane Carter Col. Laury Arturo Carter The Casey Family B. Chalk Dan Clark Alice A. Clarke Dr. & Mrs. Gregg Clifford Stephen and Yuki Cloud The DW Coffman Family Mr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Collins Janet A. Collins Dr. and Mrs. William R. Cooper Page & Virginia Cranford The Cunningtons Alexa Curran Mary Dahlgren Sharon Davidson Annie Callaway Davis & Family Latresa Davis Richard & Laura Davis Mr. & Mrs. Daniel M. Dechert Nicole Dejesus Pat & Vicki Devine Dr. Daniel & Mrs. Dickenson Mr. & Mrs. Glenn & Ellen Diskin The Douglas Family Audrey Douglas-Cooke

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Eadie Terri Echague Waldemar Eger Susan & Jim Eilberg The Eno Family Jean & Bob Evans Col. & Mrs. Robert A. Evans, USAF (RET) Dr. & Mrs. Clay Everett Dr. Barry & Mrs. Sarah Ezell Ann Fallon Valetta Fellenbaum First Light Group, LLC Chauncey Foreman Ruth Freeman Maureen Fuster Mr. & Mrs. Buzz Gilbert Michael Gilbert Mary & Larry Gillen Margaret Gilman Dr. & Mrs. Fred T. Given Katherine R. Golden Rita Golub Ian Goodwin Terri Goudy Dr. William & Sandra Gough Mr. & Mrs. William M. Grace Dr. & Mrs. George C. Grant Tony A. Grizzel Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Gurdziel Dr. Adolphus Hailstork Dr. & Mrs. Charles M. Hecht-Leavitt Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Hess Dr. & Mrs. John M. Hess Lester W. Hicks Jim & Faith Hitch Virginia & John Hitch Dr. & Mrs. E. Beaumont Hodge, Jr. Col. & Mrs. Norman B. Hodges III, Ret. The Holeman House LLC Jennifer Huggins Susan & Bob Hume Mr. & Mrs. William P. Hunter James E. Husband Evelyn A. Hyman Dr. & Mrs. M. E. Jackson Christopher Jeter Michael Joseph & Jeanine LaBrenz Nancy Kanter Milton & Sandy Katz William (“Bill”) W. Keenan, Jr. Evelyn E. Keys Stephanie & Bob King Imogene & David Kippenbrock Edward & Anne Kramer Dr. & Mrs. Scott Kruger Orgia Labidi Mr. & Mrs. Larry L. Lambertson Margaret A. Larrea Shannon Lawrence Bob & Diane Letourneau Terry & Kattrell Lewis Michelle G. Lightfoot Charles M. Lollar Mr. & Mrs. Douglas & Nancy Lowry Ms. Joan Luczai Mackey, Ink. Margaret Magnussen Robert & Jean Major Annette Thompson Markham Capt. & Mrs. Kenneth A. Marks Angela Martin Judith Marx Carl & Carolyn Master Mr. & Mrs. Wallace E. Maybery Ashley McCormick Michael McCullough Gale D. McCune Mr. & Mrs. Brian & Linda McKee Mac McLoughlin Mary Welton Meredith Robert & Kathleen Michaels Elizabeth A. Miklos Peter C. Miller Mark Miltz Mr. & Mrs. David Moore Dianne Myrick Daniel Myssyk Eileen Neill

Ms. Julie Nelson & Ms. Lynn Corbin Wilner Nelson Norbert Newfield Christopher & Leslie Noble Mr. & Mrs. Richard Norman Harold J. O’Connor, Sr. Darnell Parker Grace & Fred Parkinson Rebecca Paquet Pathways Developmental Services Mr. & Mrs. H. W. Patnode Ann Phillips & Luis Boticarlo Inger Bratland Pincus Lane & Gail Pittman Col. & Mrs. James A. Poland Neilsa Porter Mr. & Mrs. Rue M. Prince Ann Quinn/Judy Allen Bonnie Gordon Rabinowitz SLR Imagery, LLC Suzette & Alan Rashkind Anne Rasmussen & Dan Millison Jeff & Sue Rau Leonard Rausch Katherine T. Read David Redden Ms. Rosanne Reddin The Redmond Family The Reo Family Vendetta Y. Reynolds Brenda Ridley-Garris Susan & Gary Ripple Art & Jan Rockoff Matthew & Ruth Ann Rodakis Dana Rosen Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Rosenberg Rick & Mary Rumble Martin & Joyce Ryan Donna & John Rynasko Dr. & Mrs. Irwin S. Sacks Margaret Sakakini Stanley & Linda Samuels Lea Sawyer Kristen Schager Jacobs Blanche & Leonard Scharf Lillian Scott H. S. Sease Drs. Gayatri Kapur & Rasesh Shah Elizabeth Shelton Norman & Sandra Sher Kent Shoemaker Douglas & Sally Simon Mr. & Mrs. Frederick P. Simon Alan L. Smith Mr. David Smith & Dr. Marta Satin-Smith Ashton Sniderman Dr. & Mrs. Michael Solhaug Southeast Virginia Community Foundation Sparkle Refinishing Company Barbara J. Spigel Lucius & Elizabeth Steere William Stewart Scott Strickland Mr. & Mrs. Donald P. Sullivan Donald Tack Avanese Taylor Mr. & Mrs. William E. Teale Wendy Thomas Brown Nyota Teare James Thompson Virginia Thumm/Virginia Fundraising Consultants Byron E. Tobin Linda & Oliver Todd In appreciation from the Vance Family Hans von Baeyer & Barbara Watkinson Candice Wallace James & Barbara Waring Mr. & Mrs. David S. Warren Nancy L. White Marsha Lynn Wilkins Teresa Williams Buzz & Karen Williamson David Wynne Dr. & Mrs. Steven F. Yaros Eboni Young Peggy & Joe Young Dorothy Zimmerman

In Honor of Nathaniel Babcock Anonymous

Kathleen Campbell The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Carole W. Curtis Anonymous Billie Halsey Chelsea McGarity Louise Maurer Anonymous Diann Prentiss Kelly Marie Harlan Her husband, James Richardson Christina Richardson Molly & Tommy Rueger Sally Kitchin Tony Sparagno and his family Miss Gill and Stephen Leaman 20 years in U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Certo Brand

In Memory of Gerald Anderson Judith Marx Daniel I. Cross Anonymous Bill & Mary Graves Anonymous Robin Hixon Mary Ellen Crocker Dr. Eugene L. Kanter Nancy Kanter Russell Stanger Charles M. Lollar Sam & Mary Sakakini Margaret Sakakini

Matching Gifts Bank of America Brink’s Inc. Capital Group Companies Dominion Foundation Nordstrom Norfolk Southern Corporation Portfolio Recovery Associates UBS

We sincerely apologize for any inadvertent omissions or errors. Please contact the Development Office at 757.282.2814 to make corrections.

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LETTER FROM CAMPAIGN CHAIR How do we top the Festival’s 20th season which was a constellation of performances that outshone even the brightest past season? With VAForever, a fundraising campaign that will help ensure Virginia Arts Festival’s vibrancy, innovation, and growth well into the future. Through the VAForever campaign, underway now through June 2017, the Festival’s Board of Directors is working to raise more than $12 million for major transformational initiatives which includes three major components. Ensuring the Future through Endowment Growth will strengthen the Festival’s endowment fund, supporting growth and expansion of the Festival’s arts-in-education programming and ensuring long-term fiscal health. Capital Needs will provide improved infrastructure, taking the form of a new production and storage facility as well as building improvements and the iconic Festival Bells. Audience Development through the 20th and 21st seasons is enabling the Festival to expand its programming, and enhance its marketing and public relations efforts — all in support of its mission to draw visitors from around the world.

VAFOREVER THANK YOU TO THESE LEADERS, OUR FIRST CONTRIBUTORS Anonymous (2) Charles & Mari Ann Banks Clay H. Barr Aimee & Frank Batten BB&T Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Boyd Alonzo & Michelle Brandon Macon & Joan Brock City of Norfolk City of Williamsburg Robert W. & Debra Wendells Cross Leslie Doyle Dianne Epplein & John Patton The Fannie, Milton, and Leslie Friedman Family Foundation David & Susan Goode Martha M. Goode & Christina L. Goode Howard & Sandra Gordon Edith & Cyrus Grandy Hampton Roads Community Foundation Susan & Paul Hirschbiel James A. Hixon

Through the generous donations of some major donors, the VAForever campaign is well on its way. But just as the Festival touches the lives of so many in our area, it is important that we invite the entire community to participate in the Festival’s growth. We want all of our Festival patrons and arts lovers to have the opportunity to play an important role in the Festival’s future. What does the future hold? The goals that we have set are bold, but achievable: • To be recognized as one of the top five performing arts festivals in the country

Connie & Marc Jacobson Gayle Johnson Landmark Foundation Mr. & Mrs. James M. LaVier Mr. & Mrs. Harry T. Lester Lilyhawk Foundation John P. Matson Naomi M. Muellner Louise Nagourney and the staff of Cuisine & Company Nancy Chandler Associates Norfolk Southern Foundation Ross & Sylvia Payne The Perry Family Patricia Richardson Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. Rueger Bert & Missy Schmidt André-Michel Schub TowneBank Foundation Leah & Richard Waitzer Jane & Sam Webster Mr. and Mrs. John O. Wynne

• To become the top destination festival in Virginia • To grow the Festival audience to more than 150,000 annually • To become a household name in Hampton Roads • To reach every student in Hampton Roads at least once during his/her school years This is a vision for the future that everyone can embrace. We invite every person who has thrilled to the sound of great music, sighed at the beauty of dance, or beamed with pride at the aweinspiring Virginia International Tattoo to join us: become a part of the Festival’s future through VAForever.

James A. Hixon VAForever Campaign Chair

As part of our 20th Season celebration, VAF commissioned the design of a 23 bell carillon – an iconic structure which can travel with us throughout Hampton Roads. It’s the first cast bell carillon designed as an interactive environment in a nontower setting. The bells were played by professional solosits, hand bell choirs, and the public at large. The bronze bells were cast by Gillett and Johnston Bell-founders of Croydon, England for the Ward-Belmont School for Girls which closed in 1951.

FESTIVAL GAME-CHANGERS LEADING THE FUTURE Love for Virginia Arts Festival resounded well beyond the concert halls in 2016 as festival-goers of all ages and musical abilities chimed in, venue after venue, beside a new, traveling carillon of 88-year-old bells specially created for the 20th anniversary season and a lifetime ahead. The new grand carillon of 23 cast-bronze bells saved from a bygone women’s college in Nashville, Tennessee, can be played by anyone, by keyboard or levers, and performs dually as a musical instrument and visual work of art. The VAF Bells are part of our Beyond the Concert Hall series of free public attractions surrounding the season’s productions. It also serves our longstanding mission to improve branding and visibility to the public. Boosting Festival awareness and the expansion of programming have long been high on our to-do list, and thanks to the FY 2016 Game-Changer Fund, new initiatives have begun to roll. The Game-Changer Fund is a dedicated, operations fund, part of the ongoing three-year, multi-million-dollar VAForever campaign.

14

The Virginia Arts Festival Bells

The fund enabled the creation of our new VAF Bells, made to be unveiled in this milestone anniversary. They’re unique, they sound beautiful and they engage the audience in a “kind of an over-the-top way to brand ourselves,” Robert Cross, Perry Artistic Director, said. At all of major Festival performances this year, the bells rang out as a call to all. Our tuneful icon is so big, it travels by tractor-trailer. Off season, it’s stored within our new production building, also purchased in FY 2016 with support from the capital campaign. MORE GAME-CHANGER HIGHLIGHTS The Game-Changer raised $1 million, enough money to impact our 20th season and seed the Festival for sustainable long-term impact. Much of our 2016 program expansion comprised the Celebrate Series, which spread the Festival out with off-season events. This gave people the chance to attend more performances, kept the Festival in their minds thoughout the year and

provided us new opportunities to promote upcoming productions. “This had a great impact,” J. Scott Jackson, General Manager, said. “We had our highest attendance ever this year, and we know that the Celebrate Series initiatives helped drive that growth.” The Festival’s inaugural Funhouse Fest, the conclusion to Festival Williamsburg in June, turned another Game-Changer page. With a long tradition of ending the Festival with a series of performances in Williamsburg, we turned to Williamsburg native and musical icon Bruce Hornsby to help us create a major new performance initiative. The result was recordbreaking attendance and a new direction for the Festival finale in the historic city. The fund also supported the Virginia International Tattoo’s first-ever American Pipe Band Championship competition, its 700-person mass choir and its ability to bring Top Secret Drum Corps, an elite Swiss group for which people had been clamoring for a decade, into the 2016 lineup. The Tattoo had its largest cast ever, thanks to the Game-Changer fund.

“You’re seeing seeds planted for long-term growth,” which is one of the goals of the fund, Jackson said. And this expanded programming allows more performers to reach more students throughout more of the year. We had our highest all-time participation by students from 15 cities and counties in 2016. “That was very important to us,” Jackson said. “Our goal is to continue expanding the Festival’s year-round outreach program, reaching more than 40,000 students annually. We intend to reach every student at least once during their school career in districts throughout the region.” Preparing to market the 20th season, we hired a consultant to help establish stronger identity and marketing strategies. The investment has paid off, as we’re leaving the 20th season with our best year ever in ticket sales and with new blueprints for more effective marketing moving forward. “The Game-Changer fund was a catalyst for some great things,” said Perry Artistic Director Rob Cross. “The Festival will continue to benefit from the impact of these improvements for years to come.” 15

Thank you for making our 20th unforgettable!

Phototgraphy by: David Polston, Heiko DeWees, Jose De La Lastra, Jeffrey Gallo, Thirty-Three Photography, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Ragefoto and Paige Perry.

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM

440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

Y E A R S

Norfolk, VA Permit No. 3141

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